Interior Designer

Interior designers plan new interiors and renovate existing ones in commercial buildings (for example, offices, institutions, stores, hotels and restaurants) and single and multi-family dwellings. Their responsibilities vary from one position or project to another but, in general, interior designers:

• identify and analyze client needs and goals, safety requirements, budget limitations and project schedules
• prepare preliminary plans and design concepts for client approval
• estimate costs and prepare budgets
• develop presentations which may include drawings, sketches, renderings, perspectives, colour and material boards, photographs or models
• prepare working drawings and specifications for non load-bearing construction including materials, finishes, millwork and furnishings
• prepare tender documents, co-ordinate the bid process and assist clients in awarding contracts
• confirm that required building and other code permits are obtained
• collaborate with professional and technical consultants (for example, mechanical, electrical and structural engineers, architects, audiovisual consultants)
• conduct field reviews of construction and installation of furnishings, fixtures and equipment
• review and evaluate projects on behalf of clients, during implementation and upon completion.

Interior designers co-ordinate their work with other professionals and work closely with general contractors to ensure that their drawings are interpreted correctly. They may co-ordinate the activities of trades (for example, painters, carpenters) when there is no general contractor.

Interior designers are concerned with general and detailed planning, spatial arrangements, health and safety issues, detailing, constructability and technical considerations (for example, lighting and acoustics) as well as the aesthetics of a space. They are more involved with technical considerations than interior decorators are. Decorators focus on the ornamental and moveable aspects of interiors (colour, furniture, rugs, drapery) and fixed details (for example, moldings) that easily can be added to an existing space (for more information, see the Interior Decorator occupational profile).

Working conditions vary considerably in this occupation. Interior designers frequently meet with clients, other consultants and contractors in clients' workplaces and homes, in interior design offices, in consultants' offices and at work sites. Work hours are sometimes long or irregular, and may include weekends and evenings.

Interior designers need the following characteristics:

• creativity and imagination
• the ability to visualize spatial relationships in three dimensions
• good oral, written and graphic communication skills
• an interest in attending to details
• the ability to work on several projects in different stages of development at the same time
• the ability to deal with the pressure of deadlines
• the ability to work well with people from a wide variety of backgrounds.

They should enjoy synthesizing information to develop plans and design concepts, taking a methodical approach to work requiring precision, and working with people.

Above-average occupational growth is expected in Alberta for 2016 to 2020. Job openings are a result of employment turnover and newly created positions.

Interior designers are employed by:

• interior design firms
• architectural firms
• institutions such as schools, universities and hospitals
• building development companies
• corporate planning offices
• hotels and restaurants
• furniture and product or materials manufacturers and dealers 
• government planning offices
• property management companies.

Graduates of recognized four year degree programs usually begin work in interior design and architectural offices, or the planning departments of corporations or institutions. Graduates of two year diploma programs are employed by home builders, kitchen and bath manufacturers, and flooring companies, or as assistants in interior design and architectural offices. Some are employed in retail sales positions (for more information, see the Interior Decorator profile) or technical sales positions with commercial suppliers (see Technical Sales Representative profile). Experience gained in sales positions may not be eligible for credit toward professional recognition.

In Alberta, 77% of people employed as interior designers work in the following industries:

• Professional, Scientific and Technical Services (PDF)
• Retail Trade (PDF)

The employment outlook in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

• trends and events affecting overall employment (especially in the industries listed above)
• location in Alberta
• employment turnover (work opportunities generated by people leaving existing positions)
• occupational growth (work opportunities resulting from the creation of new positions that never existed before)
• size of the occupation.

Over 2,000 Albertans are employed in the Interior designers occupational group. This group is expected to have an above-average annual growth of 2.0% from 2016 to 2020. As a result, 40 new positions are forecast to be created each year, in addition to job openings created by employment turnover.

Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.

Alberta Association of Architects (AAA) website: www.aaa.ab.ca

BuildForce Canada website: www.buildforce.ca

Careers in Interior Design website: www.careersininteriordesign.com

Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA) website: www.accredit-id.org

Interior Designers of Alberta (IDA) website: www.interiordesignalberta.com

Interior Designers of Canada (IDC) website: www.idcanada.org

National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) website: www.ncidq.org

National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) website: www.nkba.org

For more information on career planning, education and jobs, visit the Alberta Learning Information Service (ALIS) website, call the Alberta Career Information Hotline toll-free at 1-800-661-3753 or 780-422-4266 in Edmonton, or visit an Alberta Works Centre near you.